GOVERNMENT is set to employ 2 300 teachers in June to bring
the total number of teachers who would have been employed this year to 5 000.
In January, Government recruited 2 700 teachers who were
deployed to several schools across the country.
Most of those who were recruited were deployed to most
critical areas that include Early Childhood Development, Grades One and Two and
specialist subjects — sciences, vocational subjects and indigenous languages.
Before this year’s recruitment, 13 000 posts were said to
be vacant. The recruitment of the 5 000 teachers this year is part of
Government’s efforts to ensure that pupils have access to quality education, a
development that helps in improving pass rates.
According to the Ministry of Primary and Secondary
Education, the teacher-pupil ratio for primary schools is 1:40 and at secondary
schools it is 1:35 from Form One to Form Four and 1:25 for Advanced Level
classes.
However, schools are forced to enroll learners beyond their
carrying capacity due to a shortage of schools and teaching staff. Some
secondary school classes have over 50 learners.
In an interview on the sidelines of the handover of a
state-of-the-art laboratory to Selukwe Chrome Secondary School, as well as a
multipurpose sports court and a bus to Impali Primary School worth over US$300
000 in Shurugwi yesterday, Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education
permanent secretary Mrs Tumisang Thabela said in June, Government would recruit
2 300 more teachers.
She said it is
Government’s goal to support the implementation of the new curriculum.
“In January we engaged 2700 teachers to fill vacancies in
the sector. The teacher pupil ratio must improve to support the new curriculum.
Of those engaged, 2 100 teachers took up the jobs and 600 did not for various
reasons. We are now completing the mop up programme to make sure the 2 700
figure is reached. At the same time, I am glad to announce that we have also
been given authority to recruit a further 2 300 teacher in June. We were
allowed to engage 5 000 teachers and if we engage 2 300 plus the 2700 we
engaged in January we will reach our target,” she said.
Meanwhile, Mrs Thabela commended Unki Mines for supporting
Government in implementing the new curriculum through investment in
infrastructure development.
She said support in sports facilities, assists schools to
mould athletes who have an academic background.
In a speech read on his behalf by the senior human
resources manager at Unki Mines Mr Anthony Chadyiwa, the company’s general
manager Mr Walter Nemasase said they were honoured to have partnered the
education ministry in assisting Selukwe Chrome Secondary School and Impali
Primary School. Chronicle
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